Chain authorisation (ketenmachtiging)

Definition

A chain authorisation (ketenmachtiging) is a digital power of attorney within eHerkenning that lets you give an intermediary — for example an accountant, tax adviser, or a platform that guides WBSO applications — permission to act on behalf of your company with government services, without having to share your own login credentials. You arrange the authorisation through your eHerkenning supplier, which acts as the intermediate party (the 'chain' in chain authorisation) passing your company's authority on to the intermediary; the authorisation is valid for a maximum of five years and can be revoked earlier. In practice, this means your adviser can submit an application on mijn.rvo.nl on your behalf, view the decision, and handle the realisation report, while you remain the sole owner of your own eHerkenning or DigiD. This is especially useful for companies that outsource their entire WBSO process: without a chain authorisation, the adviser would need access to your personal login method, which is undesirable from a security standpoint. For most entrepreneurs, the chain authorisation is a one-time step arranged when setting up the collaboration with an adviser, after which the annual WBSO cycle can run without further intervention.

Frequently asked questions

What is a chain authorisation (ketenmachtiging) for the WBSO?

A chain authorisation is a digital power of attorney within eHerkenning that lets you give an adviser or accountant permission to submit a WBSO application to RVO on behalf of your company, without sharing your own login credentials.

Where do you set up a chain authorisation?

You arrange a chain authorisation through your eHerkenning supplier; it is valid for a maximum of five years and can be revoked earlier at any time.

Is a chain authorisation the same thing as eHerkenning?

A chain authorisation isn't a separate system — it's a specific type of authorisation within eHerkenning that gives a third party access to a government service such as the WBSO on your behalf.